Someone asked for examples of clever nicknames and these 23 replies are just ingenious

While there will always be nicknames that are a bit obvious, like calling someone named Smith “Smiffy”, there are also some that employ lateral thinking in such a sneaky way, it’s sometimes hard to get the joke. Guardian journalist and Twitter funny man, Simon Ricketts, wondered whether there might be some of this latter kind that he hadn’t heard, so he asked his followers to share them.

He started them off with some of his own, including cricketer Alastair Cook, who has scored a century in his last innings with England today.

Alastair Cook’s nickname is ‘Chef’. I like how pointless that is. Same amount of letters, no discernible difference in saying it. The faintest humour.Best nicknames – “One Size” for footballer Fitz Hall.“Dave” for César Azpilicueta because it was easier to say.